Zambia President Edgar Lungu collapses after ‘sudden dizziness’ at Defence Day event

Zambia President, Edgar Lungu collapsed in the capital, Lusaka, on Sunday, June 13 forcing live TV coverage to abruptly cutout.

The cabinet secretary to the Zambia President, Simon Miti made it known in a statement that the President truly collapsed at the event but recovered immediately after experiencing sudden dizziness.

“President of Zambia Edgar Lungu this afternoon experienced sudden dizziness.”

“He recovered immediately and walked to the official car and returned to his residence at State House.”
Miti added that the 64-year-old was well and would continue to discharge his duties.

Lungu, who is campaigning for re-election in August, had been attending a defense forces Commemoration Day event, which was brought to a swift end.

The four-hour ceremony took place at the Freedom Statute on Independence Avenue where the Defence Forces show-cased their military ware.

President Lungu also used the Commemoration to conduct an Investiture Ceremony to honour gallant men and women in Uniform.

The Zambian leader had a similar experience in 2015, caused by what the presidency said was an “oesophagus condition”.

Lungu came to power in 2014, initially replacing Michael Sata who died unexpectedly before the end of his term. He then went on to win polls in 2016.

Zambia’s top opposition figure Hakainde Hichilemaon is again set to be his main rival for the presidency.

The landlocked southern African country has enjoyed relative stability since its first multi-party elections in 1991.